Category: Christmas

Hot Cocoa Mug (Christmas) Marshmallow Pops

Published on by kerricreatesblogLeave a comment

Christmas came and went, and while I had great intentions to add some new holiday posts to my blog, I was too busy enjoying all of the fun activities to get to the blogging part. I guess these little Hot Cocoa Mug Marshmallow Pops can be tucked away on a Pinterest board for next Christmas 🙂

The past couple of years, our church has done a drive-thru Christmas Caroling event. My friend asked me to make cookies to pass out, but festive mallow pops are more fun than baking cookies for me, so I set out to make some really cute and Christmassy pops. These little guys were a bit trickier to make than I expected, but I think they turned out pretty cute.

Here’s what you will need to make your own Hot Cocoa Pops: peppermint candy canes (the ones I used were in between the typical big and small size), Jet Puffed Marshmallows, pretzels (broken up to create handles), candy melts in milk chocolate and bright white, Kraft Mallow Bits, various holiday sprinkles, parchment paper, and a Wilton’s squeeze bottle. #CommissionsEarned

STEP 1: LAY EVERYTHING OUT ON PARCHMENT PAPER SO YOU HAVE AN EASY WORKSPACE

STEP 2: MELT A SMALL AMOUNT OF THE CHOCOLATE CANDY MELTS. DIP A CANDY CANE IN THE CHOCOLATE AND PUSH INTO THE CENTER OF THE MARSHMALLOW. REPEAT

STEP 3: MELT A SMALL AMOUNT OF THE WHITE CANDY MELTS. DIP THE ENDS OF THE BROKEN PRETZEL IN THE WHITE MELTED CANDY AND SECURE TO THE SIDE OF THE MARSHMALLOW. REPEAT.

STEP 4: MELT THE REMAINDER OF THE WHITE CANDY MELTS. DIP EACH MARSHMALLOW, MAKING SURE TO COAT ALL THE WAY UP TO THE TOP OF THE MARSHMALLOW AND COVERING THE PRETZEL HANDLE. YOU MAY NEED TO WIPE OFF SOME OF THE DRIPS FROM THE BOTTOM BEFORE PLACING ON THE PARCHMENT PAPER TO DRY.

STEP 5: MELT THE REMAINDER OF THE MILK CHOCOLATE CANDY MELTS AND TRANSFER TO A SQUEEZE BOTTLE. WORKING QUICKLY, BEFORE THE CANDY MELTS SOLIDIFY, DRIZZLE MILK CHOCOLATE ALONG THE TOP OF EACH POP AND ADD A FEW FESTIVE SPRINKLES AND MALLOW BITS. THIS IS WHERE THE TRICKY PART COMES IN BECAUSE IT’S DIFFICULT TO ADD THE TOPPINGS AFTER THE CHOCOLATE HAS SET, SO YOU HAVE TO WORK FAST.

STEP 6: ENJOY!!!

These little Christmassy Pops are perfect for your holiday party or for adding to your plate of Christmas treats. I used a pretty cake platter in mint green next to my display of mini Christmas trees for some photos and then sent them off to be handed out at the Drive-Thru caroling event. #CommissionsEarned

For more fun Christmas Ideas check out the following blogposts:

Polar Express & Graham Cracker Trains

Turn Dad Into A Snowman

Advent

Graham Cracker Gingerbread Houses

Glittery Christmas Tree Silhouettes

DIY Rustic Christmas Tree Banner

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DIY Rustic Christmas Tree Banner

Published on by kerricreatesblog2 Comments

Each year, I try to incorporate some type of Christmas craft into our Advent activities. When my kids were younger, we would often take nature walks and collect all sorts of natural treasures. My kids are older now, and nature walks are a distant memory, but this remains one of my favorite DIY Christmas crafts that we made together.

This simple and inexpensive Christmas Tree Banner will add a rustic touch to your holiday decor and kids will have so much fun collecting sticks and twigs to use for their creations. You will need to pre-cut white or off white card stock in rectangles or pendants and purchase some wooden stars, gold paint, twine, and glue. Before your nature walk, take a few minutes to paint your wooden stars with the gold paint. #CommissionsEarned

Bundle up, grab a bag, and go on a stick hunt. Look for sticks in a variety of lengths, but try to find ones in a similar width around. Once you get home, hand each child a piece of the pre-cut banner and let them sort through the sticks, breaking pieces off to for their Christmas Tree, and working their way from bottom to top, while leaving a bit of room for a star.

Glue the sticks in place, including a vertical twig for the trunk and add one of your gold stars to the top of each twig tree. Once all of your banner pieces have dried and you have hole punched the top, thread your twine through and find the perfect place to hang your rustic Christmas Tree Banner.

For more fun Christmas ideas check out the following blogposts:

Advent

The Polar Express & Graham Cracker Trains

Turn Dad into A Snowman

Glittery Christmas Silhouettes

Graham Cracker Gingerbread Houses

The Polar Express and Graham Cracker Trains

Published on by kerricreatesblog3 Comments

Traditions are my favorite! I love creating memorable experiences for my kids, and December is full of many anticipated events that we have done year after year. Watching The Polar Express and making graham cracker trains is one that my kids definitely look forward to. We always include this holiday tradition as one of our Advent activities.

Each year, my kids invite a couple of friends to join them. I hit the candy aisle for mini M&M’s, Smarties, Gummy Lifesavers for wheels, mini Starbursts for windows, Nerds, Candy Canes, mini marshmallows and whatever else looks fun and festive. I get a couple of boxes of graham crackers and some vanilla frosting and have the table ready when friends arrive. I have found that muffin tins make the perfect holder for a variety of sweet treats. #CommissionsEarned

I tell the kids to create their train, but to hold off on eating until we start the movie. I love watching all of their creative ideas come to life. Some of their trains are simple and others make complex box cars with hidden compartments filled with candy. I like to include a few “healthier” snacks to put out with the movie as well, so that they are not leaving my house in the midst of a sugar crash.

I usually plan for about an hour for train making and two hours for the movie. Once the trains are complete, we throw on The Polar Express, which honestly is one of my all time favorite Christmas movies. I am pretty relaxed about kids eating in my living room, so I let everyone get comfy and enjoy their tasty creations while they watch.

For more fun Christmas ideas check out my other holiday blogposts:

Advent

Turn Dad Into A Snowman

Glittery Christmas Silhouettes

Graham Cracker Gingerbread Houses

Turn Dad into a Snowman

Published on by kerricreatesblog5 Comments

Turning Dad into a snowman has become one of the most anticipated Advent activities for our children.   We started this tradition 3 years ago and it’s always sure to bring out tons of laughter and joy for all of us!  The kids squealed with delight this morning, when they opened the Advent bag and read that this was the day to make a Dad “snowman!”

The best part of this activity, besides the crazy amount of laughter, is that it is free!  Just gather what you have around the house.  We used a couple of rolls of toilet paper, some scrapes of cardstock for the eyes, coal buttons, nose, mouth, and arms.  I grabbed a scarf out of my closet and a hat out of the kid’s dress up box.  Have some scotch tape handy and you are ready to go.

Last year, by accident, my husband got some toilet paper in his mouth, which made for a hilarious few minutes of giggles for the kids.  So of course, this year, there was the expectation that he would make this happen once again.  He did not disappoint!  Make sure to watch our video to the very end to see the grand finale!

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Over the last several years, we have switched things up a bit. So far all but one of us has been the snowman. The kids were delighted the year that they opened the advent bag and found the card that said “turn MOM into a snowman!” From that point on, every year we have chosen a different person to be the snowman. Here are a few pics of this silly tradition.

For more Christmas Fun check out the following blogposts:

Advent

Glittery Christmas Silhouettes

Graham Cracker Gingerbread Houses

Advent

Published on by kerricreatesblog6 Comments

christmas-chalkboard

img_4494Every year, in the month of December, we spent time focusing on preparing our hearts to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  One tangible way we do this as a family is by doing Advent Activities.  Each day, December 1-25, our kids open the Advent Bag that corresponds with that day.  Each bag contains a card with a Bible verse and a family activity printed on it.

I’ve included a video tutorial on how I made my Advent Bags.  They are simple to make and have held up for over 5 years.  My kids get so excited when they see them hung up across a wall of our house each December.

I’ve also given you a list of the Bible verses that we use, as well as our Advent activities for this year.  Just an FYI, some of our activities may not be in the order I have posted.  I try to plan ahead, but adjust as necessary depending on how life goes.  Follow my blog this month for more detailed blog posts on some of our crafts and family activities.

ADVENT BIBLE VERSES

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.  Isaiah 7:14

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His love endures forever.  Psalm 118:29

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.  I give them eternal life and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.  John  10:27-28

But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zecharaiah; your prayer has been heard.  Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.”  Luke 1:13

And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.  Luke 1:76-77

But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.  You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.”  Luke 1: 30-32

And everyone went to his own town to register.  Luke 2:3

And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”      Luke 1:46-47

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus because he will save his people from their sins.  Matthew 1:21

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.  John 1:14

She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.  Luke 2:7

On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.  Luke 2:21

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.  Luke 2:20

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of king Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”  Matthew 2:1-2

On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.  Matthew 2:11a

Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.  Matthew 2:11b

When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream.  “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt.  Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”  Matthew 2:13

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government shall be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Might God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Isaiah 9:6

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  1 John 5:11

And live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.  Ephesians 5:2

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”  John 14:6

Your word is truth.  John 17:17

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16

Jesus is the Son of God.  Acts 9:20

This is how God showed his love among us: he sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.   1 John 4:9

ADVENT ACTIVITIES 

  1. GET OUR CHRISTMAS TREE AND DECORATE IT
  2. READ THE CHRISTMAS STORY FROM THE BIBLE
  3. FAMILY GAME NIGHT
  4. TURN DAD INTO A SNOWMAN
  5. CRAFT: DIY RUSTIC CHRISTMAS TREE BANNER 
  6. BUY GIFTS FOR CHILDREN WHO CANNOT AFFORD CHRISTMAS GIFTS
  7. READ SOME FAVORITE CHRISTMAS STORY BOOKS TOGETHER (Alabaster’s Song, The Christmas Tree That Grew, The Missing Mitten Mystery, Froggy’s Best Christmas)
  8. ATTEND A CHRISTMAS SHOW IN OUR TOWN
  9. STACK UP RED CUPS AND HAVE NERF WARS
  10. CRAFT: MAKE GLITTERY CHRISTMAS SILHOUETTES
  11. MAKE UP A SILLY CHRISTMAS STORY TOGETHER (each person adds one sentence at at time)
  12. GO OUT INTO A FIELD OR TO A BARN AND IMAGINE WHAT  IT MUST HAVE BEEN LIKE WHEN JESUS WAS BORN
  13. WATCH THE POLAR EXPRESS AND MAKE GRAHAM CRACKER TRAINS TO EAT
  14. DO SOME FUNNY CHRISTMAS MAD LIBS
  15. GET A YUMMY TREAT AND DRIVE AROUND LOOKING AT CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
  16. DRAW CHRISTMAS PICTURES TOGETHER
  17. PLAY HIDE AND GO SEEK WITH BABY JESUS (PLAYMOBILE  NATIVITY SET)
  18. BE BELL RINGERS FOR THE SALVATION ARMY
  19. POPCORN AND MOVIE NIGHT: ELF
  20. CRAFT: MAKE CHRISTMAS TREES OUT OF SHEET MUSIC
  21. HALLWAY BOWLING AT HOME
  22. MAKE GRAHAM CRACKER GINGERBREAD HOUSES WITH FRIENDS
  23. BAKE AND DECORATE A BIRTHDAY CAKE FOR JESUS
  24. ATTEND A CHRISTMAS EVE GATHERING AND OPEN ONE GIFT BEFORE BED (always new pajamas for each of our kids)
  25. MERRY CHRISTMAS: CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF JESUS WITH OUR FAMILY!

#CommissionsEarned

DIY Framed Chalkboard Wall

Published on by kerricreatesblog1 Comment

I absolutely love chalkboards!  They are so versatile and you can change them anytime to create a new look in your home.  You can add quotes and drawings to go with seasons and holidays.  The possibilities with a blank chalkboard are endless!

When we moved into our home over a year ago, there was an odd roll up door in the living room.  It seems like the previous owners had used it as a sort of bar to serve drinks, but we didn’t quite know what to do with it.  We have talked about closing it off, but haven’t gotten around to it.  A couple of weeks ago, while sitting in my living room, I was struck with inspiration.  I saw the frame around the roll up door and thought, “I wonder what it would look like if I turned this into a giant chalkboard?”

A few coats of chalkboard paint later and project complete!  I am happy to report that it turned out even better than I expected! I used Rust-oleum ChalkBoard Paint and it took 3 coats of paint to cover the area thoroughly.  I let each coat dry for at least an hour before adding another, and one 30 oz. can of paint did the trick.  I purchased a white chalk marker and found a quote on that I love.  I used our projector on my new chalkboard to get the quote just right and then traced it with the chalk pen.  I filled in some of the lighter areas with a regular piece of white chalk to create some contrast of texture and I absolutely love it!!!  This is definitely a great addition to the decor in our living room. #CommissionsEarned

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Update: over the years, I have transformed our chalkboard many times over and have included several pics (above) of various quotes. I have found that it helps to paint a new coat of chalkboard paint over the blank board each time I do a new quote because sometimes the outline of the previous quote shows through a bit as you can see in “Find Joy In The Journey.”

For more fun DIY projects check out some of my recent blogposts:

DIY Board & Batten Feature Wall

Oversized Scripture Scroll: Ephesians 3

DIY Lemonade Stand

DIY Tinkering Workshop For Kids

Carmel Apple Teacher Gifts

Published on by kerricreatesblogLeave a comment

Are you looking for a cute and simple Christmas gift to give to your children’s teachers?  Look no further.  For about $5 each, you can create these delicious caramel apple bundles.  I bought my caramel sauce at Trader Joes, hand picked the largest, most colorful red and green apples I could find, made my own gift tags from tan card stock, and purchased a package of bells and long clear bags at Michael’s.  I stacked the apples carefully on top of the caramel sauce and tied them off with a piece of twine.  And there you have it…a quick, easy, and inexpensive, but very festive Christmas gift for your children’s teachers. You can also add mini ornaments and ribbon if you want to invest a bit more money into these festive gifts.  #CommissionsEarned

For more fun Christmas ideas check out the following blogposts:

Glittery Christmas Silhouettes

Advent

Turn Dad Into A Snowman

Graham Cracker Gingerbread Houses

Graham Cracker Gingerbread Houses

Published on by kerricreatesblog7 Comments

When my oldest son was in preschool, we started this tradition.  Every year during Christmas Break, my kids get to invite a couple of friends over to make graham cracker gingerbread houses.  We have carried on this tradition for 10 years now and it is definitely one we all look forward to.  A muffin tray makes the perfect holder for the various small candies used to decorate these tiny edible houses.  Royal frosting is a must, as it hardens quickly and acts like glue to hold the sides of your houses together.  Stick pretzels can be used to create a log cabin or a fence.  It’s helpful to give each child a baggie full of frosting with one corner snipped off for cleaner lines.  Because this is a messy experience, I like to put a cheap plastic table cloth on my table for easy clean up.  It’s also important to buy heavy duty plastic or thick paper plates to build your houses on.  To secure the houses, it’s best to “glue” the base to the plate with some royal frosting.  I always invite parents to stay and hang out while the kids work on their house’s.  Not only does it make for good company, but there are extra hands to hold graham crackers in place and spread frosting for little ones who need the help.  I love to see how each child comes up with a completely different and unique design for their graham cracker gingerbread house.  I imagine that we will continue this tradition for years to come!IMG_1058IMG_1065IMG_1066IMG_1078

Glittery Christmas Silhouettes

Published on by kerricreatesblog6 Comments

One of our Advent Activities for this year was “make a craft.”  I decided that Glittery Christmas Silhouettes would make the perfect actvity for my kids.  I have to say, I am very happy with how they turned out and it will be fun to put them up each December for years to come.  My kids range in age from 5-13 and they were each able to do this with just a little help from me.  Here’s what you will need for your glittery silhouettes.  Four rectangular canvases, adhesive-backed vinyl, a computer, scissors, cardboard or newspaper (to cover your work area), white school glue, paintbrushes or foam brushes, and four different colors of glitter. #CommissionsEarned

IMG_0993Google Christmas silhouettes online and find four that you want to use.  Size them to fit in the center of your canvas with enough space around each for the glitter.  Try and make all 4 about the same size.  Print out your silhouettes and cut them to use as templates. IMG_0992Trace your silhouettes on the back of your adhesive-backed vinyl.  Cut them out to create four stickers.  IMG_0994Place one “sticker” on each canvas.IMG_0997Paint glue evenly all over the white parts of your canvas.  It’s ok to get a bit of glue on the stickers, but try to keep it to a minimum so that you can see the outline for when you peel it off later. IMG_0998Sprinkle glitter all around your silhouette and be sure to go over the edges a bit to make sure you create a nice line all around each image.IMG_0999Wait about 45 minutes.  You will want to peel your stickers before the glue and glitter completely dry.  This will create a cleaner line.  IMG_1001Allow your canvases to dry completely.  Shake the glitter off.  Then paint over them one more time with white school glue.  This will seal the glitter in so that it doesn’t fall off everywhere when you they are hanging up on your wall.  Let them dry overnight. IMG_1037Hang up and admire your beautiful Glittery Christmas Silhouettes!

Update: We have now been using these for the past 5 years and they are holding up beautifully.  For a tip when storing them: use plastic wrap to cover each canvas individually, then stack them and wrap the stack in plastic wrap as well.  I store mine inside of a closet on a shelf, and each year they look as lovely as they did the first year we made them.  Here is a picture from last Christmas so that you can see how nice they look in my navy blue living room next to my Board & Batten Feature Wall .  

For more fun Christmas ideas check out the following blogposts:

Turn Dad Into A Snowman

Advent

Graham Cracker Gingerbread Houses